Gay, Greek and proud of both
Event: Fraternity member explains importance of tolerance in communities
By RENEE HASLETT
Staff Writer
When
Leif Mitchell, a gay member of the of Psi Upsilon fraternity, came out to
his brothers he broke new ground at Miami University in Ohio.
The Beta Alpha
chapter at the conservative college greeted him with acceptance. Still
homophobia has been a problem within the Greek system, Mitchell said
Wednesday night.
Mitchell's
multimedia presentation "Gay, Greek and Proud," was aimed to promote
tolerance and inclusion within the Greek system at USC.
Speaking to a
crowd of 35, Mitchell opened the evening with a quote from Enrique Andrade,
president of Delta Lambda Phi at the University of Oregon.
"Let's face it.
The Greek system is the world's biggest closet," he said. "To say that
there are no gay men in the Greek system is like saying there aren't any
kegs either."
When Mitchell
came out to his fraternity brothers, gaining support and encouragement, he
wrote a letter to the local and school papers explaining that along with
being a fraternity member he was also gay. He praised his fraternity
brothers for their support and questioned why most open gays are non-Greek.
"I wanted to
break down some of the stereotypes," he said. "If it could help even one
person it was worth it."
As a result of
his letter, he was able to help somebody struggling with coming out.
His presentation
included a public service announcement created by Judy Shepard, the mother
of Matthew Shepard, who was brutally murdered because he was gay.
A movie clip
featuring the life story of a girl who felt isolated and became suicidal
when she realized that she was a lesbian was also shown.
Mitchell
emphasized that there are many historic figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt,
Walt Whitman, Henry James and Gertrude Stein, who were gay or lesbian.
Their sexuality had a deep impact on their lives and should be recognized
in the classroom, he said.
"It is easier to
think Henry James is asexual than enamored by men," said a narrator in a
clip shown at the presentation.
After the
presentation several students asked how to deal with biases against
homosexuals, both subtle and blatant.
Mitchell said
that remaining calm and persistent are the key ways to deal with this
behavior.
"I thought he
would give me a good perspective," said Tressa Navalta, a sophomore
majoring in English who is also in a sorority. "It was actually more than I
expected."
Navalta asked
him how to deal with language such as "it's so gay" and "faggot" that are
routinely used in conversation by some.
It is important
to address language that is offensive to any particular group, not just
homophobic language, he said.
Both Mitchell
and Amy Juaristi, Program Board speakers director, were positive about the
receptiveness and open-mindedness of audience members.
But they were
disappointed that so few Greek members attended, especially with the amount
of advertising that was done.
At the beginning
of the presentation Mitchell asked Greek and Gay, Lesbian, Bi and
Transgender Assembly students to identify which group they were in. About
two dozen GLBT members raised their hands in front and only a handful of
Greek members in back.
"I thought (the
presentation) was fabulous," said Bryan La Rock, a sophomore majoring in
computer science and GLBT member. "I've always been curious as to what a
Greek perspective was.
"Just as they
should think to embrace GLBT members, at the same time we should be
extending arms to the Greek system. We both need to work on
stereotypes."
Copyright 2001 by the Daily Trojan. All rights reserved.
This article was published in Vol. 144, No. 52 (Thursday, November 8, 2001), beginning on page 1 and ending on page 13.